Electric signaling gauges



United StatCS This invention relates to an improvement in electric signaling gauges.

This is a continuation in part of myk application Serial No. 152,226, now abandoned, and discloses a structurev differing specifically from any therein illustrated.

My gauge magnetically actuates switching means at one or more levels either for the purpose of signaling that the given level has been reached or for the purpose of using the resulting signal to operate a control or some sort. The exact nature of the control is immaterial to the present invention. What is important is Vthe fact that thel apparatus provides at all times complete visible indication? of the actual liquid level to which the 'gauge-responds The addition of the magnetic signaling function does not in aiy way modify or affect the visual checking of liquid eve s.

In the present device there is also a complete enclosure for the gauge tube in which the magnetic actuating member operates and this enclosure comprises a metallic frame with ltransparent side walls, the enclosure pro# tecting the mechanism from dirt and changes in temperature without interfering with visibility of the level responsive portion of the gauge.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a view fragmentarily illustrating partial inside elevation and partially vertical axial checking gauge structure embodying my invention.

2 is a plan view of the gauge structure shown in 1g.

Fig. 3 s an enlarged detail view taken in section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

4 is a detail view taken on section on line 4-4 of ig.

The float chamber is connected by lower pipe 11 and upper pipe 12 with a refrigerant accumulator, boiler, tank, or other receptacle 13. The float 14 rides at the surface of the liquid in float chamber 10, as communicated to such chamber from tank 13. The float rod 15 extends upwardly through a restricted orifice into a sight glass 16 which communicates with the chamber and, in effect, is a transparent extension thereof. The orifice is so small as to restrict vapor escape in event of sight glass breakage but is of such limited extent as not to inhibit free movement of the rod. A packing gland comprising a nut 17 and packing 18 provides a pressure-tight connection between the sight glass 16 and the closure 19 which is bolted to a flange 20 welded to the upper end of chamber 10. Packing at 21 provides the seal between closure 19 and flange 20.

Welded or otherwise secured rigidly to the closure 19 is a frame 25 comprising two opposite channels as best shown in Fig. 3. Transparent side plates 26 of glass or heavy plastic are screwed to the sides of the frame 25 to complete an enclosure about the sight glass 16. At its upper end the frame 25 has welded to its cross member 27 a sleeve 28 into which the plug 29 is threaded to seal the upper end of the sight glass 16. A packing gland nut ICC 280 similar to that shown at 17 embraces the upper end of the sight glass tube 16 and seals it to the sleeve 28.

. Within the sight glass in a position which is clearly visible at all times through the transparent walls 26 and the transparent tube 16 is a magnetic actuator 30 loosely fitting the tube for guidance thereby and adapted for the operation of one or more switches disposed outside of the sight glass 16 but immediately adjacent thereto.

rThe actuation of the switch or switches is magnetic, the actuator and the responsive member which operates the switch contact being magnetically complementary. Desirably the actuator 30 is a magnet and the responsive switch element is an armature in order to reduce the weight of the responsive part. I do not, however, desire to limit myself to this detail.

The switches disclosed are of a known type in which the switch is hermetically sealed in an oxygen free glass envelope. I` provide a mounting bracket or brackets 32 (see Figs. 3 and 4) which include spring clips 33 embracing the glass envelope 34 within which the switch is confined. The envelope has a depression at 35 within which there is a drop of mercury 36 as a fixed contact. The lead wire 37 terminates in the mercury and emerges from the glass envelope to receive connection with conf; ductor 38. Conductor 39 is attached to a wire 40 which from the pool of mercury 36 in a direction which is clockwise as viewed in Fig. 4. In the Fig. 4 position of the parts the attraction of magnet 30 for armature 45 has drawn the armature to the right to engage the moving contact 46 ofthe switch with the mercury 36 which constitutes the fixed contact, thereby to complete the circuit through the switch. Similar switches may be located at any desired level within the housing provided by frame 25 and transparent closure 26. The electrically conductive leads to and from the several switches may issue from a side of frame 25 through a conventional electrical fitting such as that shown at 48 in Fig. 1. As will be ap- I parent to those skilled in the art, the circuit controlled by the switch may be used directly or through a relay to start or stop a motor, ring a bell, light a light, open or close a valve or to perform any other function which is to be made dependent upon the increase or decrease of liquid level to the point at which the actuator 30 comes opposite the responsive member 45 which brings about switch operation.

It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the switch need not be a normally open switch as shown, since any type of switch can be operated by the disclosed organization.

It will be apparent that the functioning of the switches under the control of actuator 30 does not in any manner interfere with the visual determination of liquid level. While the sight glass 16 and the walls 26 have been described as transparent it is intended to include within this term a glass sufficiently light-transmitting so that the position of the actuator 30 will be visually apparent to an operator. It will also be clear from the above description that even if the individual switches were not protected by their own sealed envelopes, they would be thoroughly protected against dust, dirt and atmospheric changes for most purposes by the complete enclosure provided by the frames 25 and the transparent side walls 26 which form the shielding housing for the gauge.

I claim:

1. The combination with a flat chamber of a sight tube extension thereof having a transparent wall, a float in the chamber, a magnetic actuator connected with the float and guided for reciprocation in the tube, laswitch-means including a responsive member for switch operation disposed adjacent the tube and oifset laterally 'from the path of movement of said actuator, said member and actuator being magnetically complementary A and ,said member being magnetically responsive l to the proximity 'of the actuator tooperate the switch, said tube and actuator providing `a continuously effective visual indication yof liquid level in theiloat chamber upon vwhich lsaidoat is buoyed.

2. The device of claim 1 `in which said chamber is provided with aange to which there is bolted a closure Aring having tube packing through which vsaid tube extends and by which said tube is sealed to said chambftogether with a frame mounted on said closureandhaving means for positioning the end lof/,theitube `rernotefrom said chamber.

3. The device of claim 2 in which said positioning means also comprises a closure forthe end of thesaid tube.

4. Thedevice of claim 2 in which said frameA comprises laterallyspaced side membersand front and rear walls constituting a housing about the sight glass. the position ofsaid actuator being ,visible `through at least one ofsaid walls.

5. The deviceofclaim 4 in which both of said wllsare transparent.

6. A gauge comprising a oat chamber, a housing mounted .on the float chamber, a oat in the ,floatchamber, an actuator reciprocable in ,the .housing and connected with the `lioat, the housing being provided with :a guide 'for the actuator `and with `a transparent y,wall through which the position oftheactuator is substantially at all times visible, and aswitch adjacent lthe path of movement of the actuator and comprising a yswitch operating member otfset'laterallyfrom thepath of,movement of the actuator, the actuator and ,member being complementarily magneti. the said housing extending Jabout ythe lguide and switch 'for the-protection of 'the switch while affording visibility of the actuator position.

7. `In a gauge the combination with a float chamber having liquid communication means and a mounting flange, of an annular closure attached to the flange and provided with an opening communicating with the oat chamber, a frame mounted on the annular closure across said opening, a float in the oat chamber, a oat rod extending upwardly through said opening, an actuator carried by themed `externallyof "the oatchamber, a transparent sight tube connected with nsaid closure in registry with the opening-and;into whichhas yrodfextends, said actuator looselyittingrsaidtube to` receivesguidance there- 15 from, means carried by the frame remote from the float chamber positioning-the=-outerfendfofitheltube and switch means mounted on the frame adjacent the tube and including a magnetically responsive contact operating member, said actua-tor comprising a magnet and being visible atgall times througheaidtubetto indicate liquid ,levelsin the oat chamber to which the float and actuator y-are responsive, ,the switch including relatively Vfixed contact means ,and -,movablecontact, means connected with, said magnetically,responsive l member ,fand normally biased to positionin whihsaidmember `is relatively remote from the ttube, said member land :the movable contact means beingoperablevin,opposition-to said bias by the 4magnetism Y of said actuator `wehen-said :actuator` is `proximate' to said member.

8. ,Theldevice ,ofi claim 7.iuwhiehfsaidelosure and'said vframe lare provided Arwith lpacking imeans yembracing fthe respective ends zcfssaidttube.

lReferences Cited in the le of this patent UNITED SiEAFES PATENTS U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent NO 2,820,865 January 21, 1958 Henry H., McKinne'S It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification oi the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letcers Patent should readY as corrected below.

signed. and `sailed this 25th dy of March :L9-58.

(SEAL) Attest:

KARL H AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Ad'sting Officer 'Comns'sioner of Patents U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 2,820,865 January 2l, 1952iI Henry H; McKirmes It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the s'ad Let sers Patent should read as corrected below.

signed and ksealed this 25th day of j en 1958.

(eEAL) Attest:

KARL H MINE v ROBERT c. wATsoN Atesting Officer v 'Comnssioner of Patents 

